Author: Amina Mohammed

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, revealed that the state spent N3.1 billion to sponsor 300 pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj, expressing frustration over the poor treatment of pilgrims despite the substantial costs. In an interview conducted in Hausa from Saudi Arabia, the governor stated that N2.1 billion was spent on Hajj fees, while N1 billion was allocated for Hadayah for the state’s pilgrims. He explained that the significant expenditure aimed to clear the backlog of pilgrims who were unable to attend the Hajj with their peers last year. “When we came into government, we realised that there was a…

Argentina star Lionel Messi became the most-capped player in Copa America history on Thursday as he reached 35 appearances in the opening match of the tournament against Canada. The 36-year-old had shared the record with Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone (34 caps) since appearing in the final of the 2021 Copa America in Brazil, where Argentina triumphed. Messi’s appearances have been spread across seven editions of the Copa, starting with the 2007 tournament in Venezuela. The eight-times Ballon d’Or winner could set more records in this year’s competition — he needs four goals to tie compatriot Norberto Mendez and Brazil’s Zizinho…

UK state debt rose to levels not witnessed for more than 60 years in May in spite of lower-than-expected government borrowing, according to official figures. The data, which comes only two weeks before the general election, underscores the financial challenge facing the next Government, with both Labour and the Conservatives pledging to cut debt. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that public sector net debt as a proportion to UK GDP (gross domestic product) rose to 99.8 per cent for the month. This marks the highest reading since March 1961, the ONS said. Both the Labour and the Conservative…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties involved in the off cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States to avoid the use of hate speech and offensive languages in the conduct of their campaign for the elections. The Commission also said that parties contesting the election should avoid carrying arms to venue of such campaigns which must be communicated to the Commission and the Nigeria Police, at least ten days before the campaign. This was contained in the guidelines for campaign released by the commission on Friday, while also saying that in accordance with the provisions…

President Bola Tinubu is expected to lead other Federal Government officials to next week’s third edition of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, summit with the theme, “Economic Renaissance: Harnessing Government Reforms and Private Sector Agility.” Among others, government officials expected at the summit taking place between June 25 and June 26 in Abuja are Vice President Kashim Shettima; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; Central Bank Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha, among others. This came as NECA insisted that for government to attract more…

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has effected a minor cabinet reshuffle involving four commissioners. Those affected are the Commissioner for Social Development Hon. Afolashade Justina, who moves to Women Affairs; and the Commissioner for Women Affairs Hon. Bosede Olaitan Buraimoh who switches to Social Development. Hon. Commissioner for Youth Development Nafisat Buge moves to the Ministry of Environment, whose Commissioner Hon. Shehu Ndanusa Usman moves to the Ministry of Youth Development. The cabinet reshuffle takes immediate effect. Rafiu Ajakaye Chief Press Secretary to the Governor June 21, 2024

Donald Trump said he wants to grant green cards to foreign graduates from US colleges, in an apparent softening of his typically hard-line view on immigration, a key election issue. The Republican candidate made the remarks in a podcast published Thursday, days after President Joe Biden announced a citizenship pathway for immigrants married to US nationals, counterbalancing his recent crackdown on illegal border crossings. “What I want to do and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in…

The secretariat of the 23 local government councils in Rivers State will remain under seal, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun said yesterday. According to him, the seal-off will remain until a decision of the court in the controversy. The caretaker chairman appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and inaugurated on Wednesday started operating from makeshift offices having failed to access the secretariats. Also yesterday, the Court of Appeal heard the cases and allowed the counsel of both parties in the House of Assembly, to adopt their written addresses. It subsequently reserved judgment. The All Progressives Congress (APC) clarified his position, saying…

US rapper Travis Scott was arrested in Miami Beach overnight Thursday for trespassing and disorderly intoxication, records showed. The music star, whose real name is Jacques Bermon Webster, was arrested just after 1:00 am after a verbal altercation with people on a yacht at the Miami Beach Marina, according to the arrest report. After being called about a fight on a yacht, police asked the 33-year-old to leave, which he did. He later returned, “disturbing the peace of the occupants of the marina” and “causing a public disturbance.” After his arrest, the singer told police he had been drinking, saying…

The Kano State government has said the ruling delivered by a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, earlier on Thursday, shows Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II is still the Emir of Kano. The State Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi, said this during a press conference held at the Government House Thursday evening. He said, “Today 20th June, 2024, the Federal High Court No. 1, Kano had passed its ruling in respect of the case before it. I have the honor, on behalf of His Excellency Gov. Abba K. Yusuf and the Kano…